I've begun reading this amazingly erudite book that's way over my head, but here's a paradigm-shifting quote that I was able to comprehend, at least somewhat, from Ephraim Radner's Hope Among the Fragments: The Broken Church and Its Engagement of Scripture (Brazos, 2004; available from CBD for $4.99):

If there is a whole Scripture, then in Christ, its whole embodiment in the connoted Church and world is guaranteed; the Church will be Israel in mercy and judgment; the Church will take the form of all nations, in judgment and mercy; the Church will die and rise in Christ, as mercy and judgment meet in him. As a result, there is no saving the Church, no discovering the Church afresh, no growing the Church or even tearing it down (Paul prescinds both!). There is only living with, within, for, beside, and for the sake of the Church, for Jesus Christ has created us in and for this, and we cannot escape from this vocation and reality. Hence, it is sure; for he is faithful.

May God give us increasing faith in this certainty - and help us live faithfully in light of it.

As Hollie mentioned, we sunk to a new low and went to the horse races last Friday. Actually, it was pretty fun (and much cooler than our house; thankfully our AC repairman got us up and running again this morning). I was surprised at how nice the Louisiana Downs facility is, with tons of indoor stadium seating and concessions (as well as the 150,000-sq-ft casino adjoining the racetrack with several restaurants and 1300 slot machines on the gaming floor).

In looking for Louisiana Downs images, I ran across one on the Race Track Chaplaincy site, where there's an interesting story (scroll to the last article) on the Louisiana Downs chaplain and his ministry in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I knew there were chaplains for NASCAR and other motor racing sports, but I didn't know there were horse racetrack chaplains. I guess it makes sense, though, if we're to disciple all nations, redeem all areas of society, and minister spiritual healing especially wherever ambulances are found.

Joel is blogging again - always good news - and his latest post, "The Virtue of Hope," is especially good. Using a Walker Percy quote on depression as a springboard, Joel goes on to discuss Aquinas and Christian hope.